Those Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he thinks about how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League star remarks.

"My father and I always say, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional opportunities for him and his siblings.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before joining one of the country's colleges.

However, reality has turned out quite different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is seen as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a different path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the senior squad.

"The primary goal for us is to extract the maximum out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I desire them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a different team."

From Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among fight fans for producing a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The region has a rich history in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my younger brothers a lot."

"Some of the footballers he comes up against lack the same base he has. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys significantly older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim.

Amir was signed, along with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved over the Pennines as a result.

"They faced Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim.

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and picked him immediately."

Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They need to let all the youthful players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

"Gazik, this youngster is talented," continues Ibragim.

"He learned everything quicker than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA abilities at a local gym.

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC title fight.

"I never have thought I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize him when we were young."

"Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be massive."